After seeing all of the tools for learning I was shocked that i use or have the first 20 tools already. I did not think that Twitter was a tool to learning. But after this class and setting up a Twitter to follow the right kind of sites I can see why it is a great way and the #1 tool to learn. It is easy to use and it is at you disposal when you need it. I was amazed at all of the tools that i already used on a daily bases and not once i used them to learn.
After watching the video on what was web 1.0 and web 2.0, I did not realize all of the different ways that the internet has impacted our lives and education. The way that we used to search the web was lame and not as productive as now. But the way that the web 2.0 works for us now is remarkable. We may upload out thoughts, send pictures, receive pictures, and most important we may find any kind of information when we want it. Also students have become more comfortable with using the web to help with school assignments, we do not depend on a hard copy book anymore we now depend on an online book. Why because it is easier to carry and to access when we want to. the web has done many great and amazing things to this point for students and education, but I have the feeling that this is not even close to what is to come.
I have looked at the iPod and the podcast technologies and so far I love both of them. I like the fact that with the iPod we may have it on the go and in our hands. What do i mean by this, well every student now in day has a smart phone or an iPod. So if the student has this technology then they will have the ability to have lecture notes and in class lectures that they missed for whatever reason. Besides the now college student is on a whole new era or using technology for every aspect of their lives, why not use it for their education.
I did like the Sound Cloud link and the way that it asks us what type of music, entertainment, and other social medias that we like. Because as soon as I started to pick the site automatically would give me great sites to follow and they would post to my page. I can get used to all of this technology at work. I am a Junior College athletic trainer, and i deal with a lot of personalities and kinds of music that the athletes want to listen to. So now I may pick the artist to follow or the kind of music and then play it while we are getting them ready for a practice or game. I also like that all of my athletic training students have an iPod or an iPhone, I am going to look in to recording a practical or a lecture and then posting it on my sound cloud page, then give them the link so that they may have it on the go, or if they missed class that day. I have to say that what the professors at Fresno State came up with a couple of years ago was remarkable. The thought of having the lectures recorded and then uploaded for the students that could not make that class shows how much they care about their students success. I don't think that these teachers were out to make money from doing this, rather they were on a mission to give their students every possible tool to succeed in those classes as well as in others. The fact that these professors were uploading their lectures to a website were not only Fresno State students may see the lectures shows how knowledgeable of professors they are in their professions. I believe that this way of learning will become the it think just like the ipods are and will continue to be.I love the ideas of using a iPod as a student! The main and simple fact that they are easy to use and very handy to have. Not only may we listen to music or see videos but we may download an app that is specific to a course that we are taking at our college or University. As the article stated that some professors were using the ipods to have their students listen to music or see lecture notes for that class is amazing. One reason that it is a great idea to have class work or music on the students iPod is that they will always have the iPod with them. So in essence the college student might be motivated to use a familiar device and technology to do their assignments right and on timeAfter reading the article I have to say two things. One i learned a bit more on what is a podcast and that it has been around for some years now. The other was that podcast could make life easier for the now college student. College students now in day are so into the new technology that if they were to have a lecture on their phones via podcast it would make their lives easier. For example if they student had to work or had no one to take care of the baby for the day or night while they attended class. The professor could podcast the lecture and the assignments for that day. That would make it easier for that student to maintain a good grade in the course. Of course there would have to be very strict rules on how many times a student may miss class and use the podcast option. I still agree that the student need to attend class because that is how we learn, not over a phone. But the idea of having a lecture on a phone is very interesting.
After reading the article "Generation Always-On" by Elon, I could not help to think of my almost three year old son. My son is almost three years old and he can navigate on the internet like a pro. He use a tablet like it was drinking milk, he knows how to open the tablet open an app and play that app. He is a master at Minion Run, Temple Run, and other kid apps. Here is were I have a problem with him always being on the tablet or being so good at using it, If he does not have it he will not eat or talk to anyone. So i think to myself what happens when he starts to go to school for his first years and they do not have technology for little kids to use like tablets or computers. Because at the kindergarten stage of learning everything is done by hand and writing on paper, or interacting with other kids. I feel that if my son does not have the technology around him it will be a problem for him to learn and to further his knowledge. This is why slowly I have taken away technology from him (the tablet). I always think about what if"The current generation of students are digital natives who have been raised in a Web-enriched world where omnipresent technologies play an integral role in human life and where new innovations are quickly absorbed and assimilated". (Buzzetto-More, 2012, p. 65). Right off the bat this article opens up with how advanced students or kids are in this era, compared to some of us older folks. I for one are not a technology person. I mean I can get around the internet and Google things when I need them but other than that i struggle with it. Some of my students that I have in the athletic training program are really into the Facebook and Twitter thing. I had a Facebook but i deleted it one it was taking to much of my time, and two after a while it was just drama instead of a place to go and see what friends and family was up too. Don't even get me started on Twitter, I had twitter twice and deleted it twice. I did not understand it and I did not know how to use it well enough. Basically I got frustrated with it. All of my younger friends, cousins, and students were asking me for my twitter name so that they may follow me. I just responded I do not have one and it is stupid. The look on their faces when I told them that I hated Twitter was straight shock! They responded but it is so easy and fun to use. Well I did not think so. Know that I have asked for help from my students and I am following the right kind of sites I actually see the benefits of having a Twitter. I get the right information that I want to see or have at the time that I need it. At the end of the article they discuss how students were taking advantage of the social network, what do I mean by that. "Students found on the group wall out-numbered the comments on postings made by the instructor 3:1". (Buzzetto-More, 2012, p. 65). So the students are actually using the social networks for their benefits they are posting any questions they might have or concerns. This way other students in the class my respond or help them out, this way the instructor does not have to. Overall I think the article was very informative and helpful.
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